Currency testing system



J. E. STEINEIR CURRENCY TESTING SYSTEM Original Filed March 14, 1961 FIG1 March 21, 1967 FIG 2 10 5" 2 com o/spas 1m AMPS.

INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y5 JOHN E. STE/NER BY o 4 w W 3 F W .m 5 w m 2 Q. I y

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United States Patent 26,176 CURRENCY TESTiNG SYSTEM John E. Steiner,Rockford, ill., assignor to Automatic Canteen Company of America,Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Original No. 3,114,445, datedDec. 17, 1963, Ser. No.

95,725, Mar. 14, 1961. Application for reissue Nov.

23, 1965, Ser. No. 515,289

28 Claims. (Cl. 194-4) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets II] appears inthe original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification;matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates in general to a material or currency testingarrangement and more particularly to an improved test arrangementtherefor wherein a plurality of light responsive cells are arranged toprovide a single output related to either minimum or maximum response ofa material or currency note to a light condition and wherein the cellsare arranged to automatically test different materials or currency notedenominations.

In its organization, the present invention largely comprises novelstructure for a currency acceptance unit and constitutes an improvementover the apparatus disclosed in application Ser. No. 744,966, filed onJune 6, 1958, now Patent No. 3,108,693. That application andapplications associated therewith disclose the mechanical structure andthe basic circuit arrangements permitting certain currency evaluationsto be made. The arrangement by which this is done comprises a horizontalslide having a trough therein into which currency such as a dollar billis deposited. A door hingedly secured to the slide is closed over thedeposited currency and the slide carrying the currency is reciprocatedinto a test position be tween certain lamps and light responsive cells.On the slide being operated into the test position, appropriatecircuitry is controlled to operate a solenoid, which locks the slide inplace. The lamps are then lighted. The light is transmitted in variousdegrees through respective areas of the currency, depending, of course,on the color and value of the respective areas. The light responsivecells underlying the various areas respond to the quantity of lightpassing through those areas to provide an indication of theacceptability of the currency. Thus these cells are divided into threegroups called black, white, and green, in accordance with the well-knowncharacteristics of currency notes. The currency is rejected if eitherthe black or green cells receive more than a predetermined amount oflight or the white cells less than a predetermined amount of light. Iffound unacceptable, the slide is released and coin payout prevented. iffound acceptable, the currency is collected into a cash box on beingstripped from the slide. This is done by a stripper motor, solenoid, andguillotine arrangement which operate as described in the mentionedapplication. Thereafter a tray clear test may be performed to verifythat the note is stripped from the slide and collected as described insubsequent applications. A coin payout motor is now energized and itoperates a cam or finger in any well-known manner to dispense therequired coins. The slide is also released and automaticallyreciprocated into its unoperated position where it is prepared toreceive another deposit of currency.

in the described arrangement, it was necessary to test in sequence forboth minimum and maximum response of a currency note to the lightcondition. This required that apparatus be provided to initiate andcontrol each sequence and that individual apparatus be provided forresponding thereto. As may be appreciated, this considerably complicatedthe test apparatus.

In addition, meter or galvanomctcr type relays utilized Reissued Mar.21, 1967 in the described arrangement for measuring the response of thecells to the light conditions to which they were subjected have a numberof weliknown disadvantages. Among those disadvantages are the necessityto deflect a contact ovcr a scale to close a set of contacts.necessitating either an insensitive device or a device having poorcontact operation. Further. such devices have limitations in the numberof contacts that can be operated thereby and their circuit arrangementsmust be altered in order to test for difl'erent limits of cell response.

Another limitation in the described arrangement related to the provisionof circuit arrangements which would enable the testing of material ofdiiierent characteristics such as currency notes of ditlerentdenominations such as $1 and $5 notes.

In the present arrangement. the described and other limitations ordisadvantages are eliminated. Thus. the present invention contemplatesthe arrangement of light responsive cells in a number of parallel legsconnected across a single AC. input. By balancing each leg to provideone output if a tested note is responding in a characteristic manner tothe light. it is possible to detect variations therefrom by means of asingle output circuit. If the variations exceed a predetermined valueindicating an invalid note or simulated note that responds to lightexposure by transmitting either too much or too little light to anycells, the variation from the normal or calibrated value is detected inone output circuit. "l his eliminates the need for separate circuitarrangements for detecting either minimum or maximum note response.

Further, by the use of a single output, the need for individual circuitsto measure the response of separate cells is eliminated therebyproviding substantial econ omies. Thus a single detecting device such asrelay amplifier is provided for determining that output of the cells iseither above or below normal. Such a device is characterized by binaryaction in which it is either on or oil and is operated at a desireddegree of sensitivity to posilively maintain a set of contacts open orclosed. It will be appreciated that a number of binary type devices maybe substituted therefor to switch various circuits and that these neednot necessarily include contacts sets as such. Also by using a cellwhich responds to light by change in resistance values to the passage ofcurrent, such as a metal sulphide cell, as represented by cadmiumsulphide. it is possible to provide simple balanced circuitarrangements.

Another advantage is also derived from the invention in that the variousparallel legs may be calibrated for several different normal conditions,thereby permitting currency notes of different denomination to beautomatically tested by simply coordinating the output through differentoutput detecting arrangements.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a simple,economical currency test arrangement and/or a material evaluationarrangement.

It is another object of this invention to provide a currency or materialtest apparatus which responds to the validity of a note without usingmeter relays.

it is still another object of this invention to provide a currency ormaterial validity or evaluation test in which currency or material ofdifferent character or denomination is automatically tested.

It is another object of this invention to utilize light responsiveapparatus in a currency or material evaluation test of the type whoseresistance varies within great limits to the presence or absence oflight.

It is another object of this invention to provide for a light responsetest of a particular material by arranging a plurality of lightresponsive cells in balanced circuits.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a more sensitivecurrency or material evaluation test having a desired minimum andmaximum level of light response.

It is still another object of this invention to simulta' neously test. amaterial or currency for both a minimum and maximum level of lightresponse.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds. the invention consists of certain novel featuresof construction, arrangement. and a combination of circuits and partshereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing. and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. it beingunderstood that various changes in the form or arrangement and minordetails of the structure or circuits may be made without departing fromthe spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of this invention,there is illustrated in the accompanying draw ings a preferredembodiment thereof. from an inspection of which. when considered inconnection with the following description. this invention, its mode ofconstruction, assembly and operation. and many of its advantages shouldbe readily understood and appreciated:

FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit arrangement utilizing the principle of thepresent invention for testing a currency note of a single denomination;and

FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit arrangement utili7ing the principles of thepresent invention for automatically testing notes of severaldenominations.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2. showing primarily the circuitarrangements for the light responsive cells whereby the novel tests areaccomplished, it will he understood that such tests have generalapplicability although described herein in conjunction with currencytest procedures and apparatus. Thus the light responsive cells 10. 20.30. 40. and 45. shown in FIG. I, and the light rcsponsive cells 110.120. 130, 140. 145. and 159, shown in FIG. 2, are arranged to respond tothe presence or absence of light in a predetermined amount and are eachrelated to respective areas of a currency note. Preferably these cellsconstitute well-known cadmium sulfide or lead sulfide cells whoseresistance varies over a considerable range responsive to the degree oflight present.

As described in the aforementioned application, a currency note or billis deposited in a slide trough and when the note and slide are properlypositioned in the te t area, the s ide is locked in position. Lamps (notshown) are then energized under control of a timer motor indicated atitltl in FIG. I and at 290 in FIG. 2, to transmit a predetermined degreeof light to the note. The dilferent areas of the note respond thereto ina characteristic manner by either transmitting or reflecting lightfrequencies from respective areas. Thus the cells 10 and 110. etc.. maybe positioned to respond to either the transmitted or reflected light.

In the aforementioned application. a number of test sequences were usedin which a test was performed in order to determine the minimum andmaximum light values transmitted respectively. Thereafter. a tray cleartest could be performed as shown in subsequent applications to determinethat the note had been properly collected, whereafter coin disposaloccurred.

in the present arrangement. the need for successive tests is eliminatedby arranging the light ce ls 10, and 3G in series with an element suchas variable resistors 15, and 35 across a potential source such astransformer secondary 52 and testing across a potential source such astransformer and testing one point in the series circuit for a desiredoutput potential as will be described more specifically hereinafter.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the light responsive cells 10. 20.and are connected in parallel to each other and in series withrespective variable or adjustable resistors 15. 25. and in respectivebranches across the output of the secondary 52 of a transformer 50. To

illustrate another concept of the invention, light responsive cells andare connected in parallel with the other branches and in series witheach other across the secondary 52 of transformer 50. Resistors 15, 25,and 35 are each adjusted so that the current or voltage drop occurringthereacross is equal to that occurring through respective cells 10. 20,and 30 when light of the proper value and corresponding to a valid noteis transmitted thereto. In the case of cells 40 and 45, they arepositioned with respect to correspondingly colored areas of the note sothat the current or voltage drops provided thereby are equal if the noteis valid or alternatively the potentiometer connecting cells 40 and 45has its arm adjusted to provide a desired output at the arm when cells40 and 45 are testing a valid note.

A fixed resistor 41 for example, may be inserted in series with cell 40or alternatively used alone in place of cell 40. This resistor 41 can beutilized for improving the sensitivity of the apparatus by providing afixed standard or reference potential. In such an arrangement the cellsand arms need not be initially calibrated for a bill or note of averagecharacteristics as a fixed value resistor provides a known standard.

The junctions 12, 22 and 32 between cells 10, 20, and 30 and theirrespective resistors 15. 25 and 35 are connected to ground throughrespective potentiometers 18, 28, and 38. The potentiometer 60 connectedbetween cells 40 and 45 is adjusted so that the voltage level appearingat the arm preferably corresponds to that provided at junctions 12, 22and 32 and the arm is also con nected to ground through a potentiometer48.

Each of the potentiometers 18. 28, 38 and 48 is adjusted so that anyvoltage developed between the respective junction 12. 22. etc. andground is tapped at a desired value taking into account normalvariations occurring at and between junctions 12, 22 and 32 and also thearm of potentiometer 60. Therefore equal potentials are provided fromthe arms of the potentiometers 18. 28, 38 and 48 to respectiverectifiers 19, 29, 39 and 59.

The rectifiers 19, 29, 39 and 59 are connected in common to condenser 55and resistor 55A and each is arranged to pass a positive potential tothe condenser 55. Condenser 55 in turn feeds the relay amplifierindicated at 57. The amplifier 57 may be powered by the battery 58 whosevoltage is adjusted as indicated, or any other suitable power source.The amplifier 57 may comprise any well known arrangement which isoperated when the change on condenser 55 goes down to a predeterminedvalue. These arrangements may include a relay or electronic device foroperating a relay or various types of trigger or switching circuitsutilizing vacuum tubes, thyratrons or transistors arranged if desiredfor operating a relay. It will also be understood. of course, thatamplifiers may be interposed in any of the aforementioned circuits forensuring output levels of desired value, with a negative potential beingfed to the capacitor 55 if the amplifier needed a change in negativepotential for its operation.

The relay amplifier or any other well known device serving the samefunction is characterized by a binary type action in which it is eitheroperated or not. This condition is directly dependent on the chargeaccumulated by condenser 55. and the particular charge necessary tooperate the amplifier 57 is. of course, dictated by its operatingcharacteristics. The operation of the amplifier is indicated by thecondition of its contacts 61 and 62. Thus if the relay or switch isunoperated, contacts 61 remain closed, but if operated. contacts 61 openand contacts 62 close.

These contacts 6] and 62 are fed by the rotor contact 71 of the timermotor 100. The timer motor is similar to that described in theaforementioned application and modified in any well known manner toaccomplish the purpose of the present invention. Therefore. only certainportions of the circuits prepared, controlled,

or completed by the rotor contact 71 are illustrated, the remainderbeing well understood. Thus the circuits for initiating operation of thetimer motor 100 are not illustrated, by circuits for controlling astripper relay 80, reset relay 85, and bad impulse relay 90 are shown.The rcsct relay 85 functions to reset the apparatus after the test, asexplained for a similar relay in the aforemenioned application, so thatthe slide may be reciprocated and another test cycle initiated. The badimpulse relay 90 is operated in the event the currency is simulated,invalid, or counterfeit, while the stripper relay 80 is operated toprovide for the operation of the stripper motor and solenoid (notshown). The stripper motor and solenoid function to strip the note intoa collect box whereafter coin payout is permitted. The strippingoperation was explained in the aforementioned application and onlychange contemplated therein is the use of the stripper relay 80 forcompleting circuits thereto over contacts 83 instead of directly fromthe timer motor as in the aforementioned application. In addition,partial circuits for the lamps (not shown) and the coin dispensingarrangement are indicated at conductors 72 and 74 respectively. As theoperation of the lamps and coin dispensing apparatus is described in theaforementioned application, only a portion of the circuits therefor areindicated to show the manner in which control is exercised thereover.

The secondary 52 of transformer 50 across which the light cells 10, 20,30, 40, and 45 are connected is center tapped to ground, so that equalbut opposite voltage levels appear at opposite ends of the transformersecondary. The primary 51 of transformer 50 is connected to respectiveterminals 48 and 49 of a 115 volt conventional A.C. source. With thisvoltage applied to the primary, each half of the secondary is wound toprovide in the neighborhood of volts. As the secondary 52 is of lowimpedance, changes in the impedance of the respective cells will notaffect other cells materially.

It will also be noted that instead of connecting leads from the variouscircuit components to the 115 volt source that the respectiveconnections thereto are indicated by the reference characters 48 and 49applied whenever feasible to terminals adjacent the various components.

In FIG. 2, an arrangement is shown for automatically determining thevalidity of notes of different denominations utilizing the principleshown by the arrangement of cells and in series. Thus cells and arearranged in series in one leg, cells and in another leg, cells and in athird leg and cells and in a fourth leg, all of which legs are connectedin parallel across the center-tapped secondary of the 115 volttransformer 111. The number of cells or legs and choice of theirlocation with respect to the note are of course governed by a number offactors such as equal light transmission to series connected cells.Transformer 111 is similar to transformer 50 in FIG. 1 and its primaryis connected to a 115 volt A.C. source indicated by terminals 112 and113. The reference characters 112 and 113 are used whenever feasible inFIG. 2 to indicate corresponding terminals extending to the A.C. source.

Connected between each pair of cells such as 110 and 120 are a pair ofparallel potentiometers 117 and 118, 127 and 128, 137 and 1.38, and 147and 148. These potentiometers each function in a manner similar topotentiometer 60 in FIG. 1, while each one of the pair serves to providean output indicative of a note of a respective denomination.

Thus the respective outputs of potentiometers 118, 128, 138 and 148 areconnected through potentiometers 168, 178, 188, and 198 respectively,through respective recti fiers 169, 179, 189, and 199 to a common relayamplifier indicated by box 105. This group and the relay amplifier 105serve to detect currency notes of, for example, one dollar denomination.

The potentiometers 117, 127, 137, and 147 are connected throughrespective potentiometers 165, 175, 185 and 195, through respectiverectifiers 167. 177, 187, and 197 to the input of a relay amplifierindicated by the box and this arrangement serves to detect currencynotes of another denomination such as a five dollar note. In certaincases it would also be desirable to substitute a fixed resistor in therespective a ms shown in this cmbodirnent and thereby have a fixedstandard or reference potential against which a note may be tested.

It will also be understood from the previous description that the cellsare arranged to underlie areas of common color in a note to avoidextremes in reaction of the cells to differences in transmitted light.however. under many circumstances a cell which underlies a light area ina note of one demonination may he associated with a comparatively darkarea in a note of another denomination, or vice versa.

In any event, the potentiometers 117, 118, etc., are adjusted so thatthe output at the arm reflects the characteristic light transmissionvalue of the respective areas of a valid note, which is being tested.The adjustment of the potentiometers both in the arrangement shown inFIG. 1 and in FIG. 2 proceeds with a valid note in the test position andthe adjustment of each potentiometer for a desired output.

It will be noted that the relay amplifiers 105 and 155 are shown in FIG.2 without the battery such as 58 in FIG. 1, however, as the provision ofthe proper potentials is well known and may if desired be furnished andcut off through any one of a number of relays, such battery is believedunnecessary to the comprehension of the invention.

Also it will be noted that each relay amplifier 105 and 155 arranged tocontrol a respective stripper rclay and and a respective bad impulserelay and 190.

Normally the stripper nelay 160, for example, associated with a note ofone denomination that is being tested will function to enable strippingof the note as already described, while the bad impulse relay associatedwith the other relay amplifier relay 155 will be operated, to therebyprovide a cross check on the denomination of the note. On the tray cleartest, adopted to verify the collection of the note, the bad impulserelays 180 and 190 of respective relay amplifiers 105 and 155 must beoperated to permit coin dispensing.

A timer motor 200 having a rotor contact 201 is also indicated in FIG. 2and it operates in a manner similar to that for motor 100 in FIG. 1 withcertain additional connections for performing its functions. In additiona reset relay 115 is indicated for performing certain rcsettingfunctions as already described and the additional functions required bythe apparatus in FlG. 2.

OPERATION In summary, as described in the aforementioned application, acurrency note is deposited in a slide trough and the slide reciprocatedinto the test area whereupon a lock solenoid (not shown), is operated toretain the slide and note in the test position. The lock solenoid alsooperates the timer motor 100 to initiate the test sequence. This motorfirst energizes the lamps over conductor 72 to cast the required degreeof light on the note.

Assuming the note is valid, each of the junctions 12. 22, 32, and thearm of potentiometer 60 in the respective parallel legs shown in FIG. 1will exhibit approximately ground potential so that substantially novoltage change occurs at condenser 55. Thus it will be noted that if thevoltage drop across variable resistor 15 is 10 volts and the drop acrosscell 10 is also 10 volts, while the oppo site ends of the secondary 52vary between +10 and l() volts, the junction 12 and other output pointsto rectifiers 19, 29, 39, and 59 will assume a neutral condition therebyleaving condenser 55 in its initial state.

The timer motor 100 continuing its operation thereafter connectsterminal 48 over conductor 73, through contacts 92 and 61. the latter onthe relay amplifier 57, to the stripper relay 80 and the terminal 49.

Relay 80 locks operated through contacts 32 and con tacts 86 on a resetrelay 85. It initiates operation of a stripper motor and solenoid atcontacts 83 in a manner described in the aforementioned application tostrip the note from the slide trough into a collect box. With the notestripped and the lights still energized a substantial increase incurrent may extend through cells 10, 20, 30, 40, and 45. This places thejunctions 12. 22, and 32 of the respective legs in an unbalancedcondition so that a corresponding potential is derived at the respectivearms of potcntiometers 18, 28, and 38. if desired, a high resistance maybe connected in series with the cells under control of the timer motoror in any other well known manner if desired to limit the current flowthrough the cells.

The potential derived at the junctions 12, 22, and 32 varies betweenpositiye and negative values in accordance with the AC. derived fromsecondary 52, however only the positive half is transmitted through therespective rcctifiers 19, 29, and 39. This charges condenser and whenthe charge reaches a desired value, relay 55 operates to close contacts62. This extends the operating potential from terminal 48 and rotorcontact 71, conductor 73 and contact 92 to the bad impulse relay 90. Itprepares a circuit for coin disposal at contacts 91. At contacts 92, itopens its operating circuit, however, at contacts 93, it locks operatedover contacts 86. Thereafter, the rotor contact 71 disconnects from lead72 to extinguish the lamps and connects to lead 74. This connects powerover contacts 91 and 81 to initiate coin dispensing. Then the timermotor contact 71 disconnects from lead 74. however. the coin dispensingapparatus completes its cycle as described in the aforementionedapplication.

The rotor contact 71 then engages conductor to operate reset relay 85which restores all the operated components, Thus at contacts 86 itrestores relays 80 and 90 and at other contacts (not shown) restores thestart relay which in turn restores the lock solenoid. The motorcompletes its cycle in a manner similar to that described in theaforementioned application. It will also be noted that relay 85 or anyother suitable relay may control a circuit for condenser 55 to ensureits being in proper condition for the next test.

in the event the notes were counterfeit or invalid, the respectivejunctions 12, 22. and 32 and/or the arm of potentiometer 60 would be atother than the prescribed value due to the unequal voltage drops exiting across respective portions of one or more parallel legs connectedto secondary 52. \Vhether the note transmits less or more than theminimum or maximum valid light value is immaterial as the unbalance inthe arm will he of at least the same magnitude. Potentiometers 18, 28,38, and 48 are of course adjusted to allow for normal variations.Condenser 55 is therefore charged in a positive direction as explainedin the tray clear test. This results in the operation of the relayamplifier 57 before rotor contact 71 engages conductor 73 to energizethe stripper relay 807 Of course. the operating level of the relayamplifier 57 may l e set as desired to allow for normal variations inthe notes. Relay amplifier 57 closes contact 62 to prepare a circuit forrelay 90 and at contacts 61 opens a possible circuit to relay 80. Nowwhen rotor contact 71 encounters conductor 73, the had impulse relay 90is operated over contacts 92 and 62 instead of the stripper relay 80.

The bad impulse relay 90 closes contact 91 to prepare a circuit for coindisposal but as the stripper re ay 80 is not operated. this cannotoccur. At contacts 92, it opens its original circuit and thereafter thetimer motor operates the reset relay 85. The apparatus is thereafterreturned to normal without coin dispensing or currency collection.

Referring now to the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the test is initiatedin a similar fashion or manner as described in connection with FIG. 1.in this case, however, the note may be any one of several denominations.The timer motor 200 initiates its operation as before described inresponse to the operation of the lock solenoid and start relay (notshown) on positioning of the slide and currency note in the test area.The rotor contact 201 extends power from terminal 112 to light the lampsover conductor 202.

Assuming a test of a one dollar note, if valid, practically no potentialwill be present at the arms of respective potentiometers 118, 128, 138,and 148, while the arms of potentiomet'ers 117, 127, 137, and 147 beingadjusted for a possible different value of current will provide apotential indicative of some degree of unbalance. Since no potential istherefore transmitted through rcctifiers 169, 179, 189, or 199, relayamplifier will not operate its contacts, however, the positivepotentials produced at the arms of potentiometers 117, 127, 137, and/or147 is transmitted through respective rectifiers 167, 177, 187, and 197to charge condenser 158 and operate relay amplifier 155. Relay amplifiertherefore opens contacts 156 and closes contacts 157, It will heunderstood, of course. that the desired operating level for amplifiers105 and 155 can he set as desired and therefore potentiomeers 117, 118,127, 128, 138, 147, or 148 need not necessarily be set for groundpotential when testing respective one dollar and five dollar notes.

The timer motor 200 on proceeding through its cycle causes rotor 201 toengage lead 203 and extend power from terminal 112 over contacts 182 and106 to energize stripper relay at terminal 113. Power on lead 203 isalso extended past contacts 157 to energize the five dollar bad impulserelay 220. With stripper relay 160 energized, the note is collected in adescribed manner and thereafter the cells 117. etc., are fully exposedto light. Under these circumstances, the potentiometers 117, 118. etc.,reflect a potential other than that for which the re spective arms andrelay amplifiers 10S and 155 are calibrated for. As relay amplifier 155is already operated only relay amplifier 105 will now operate, ascondcnser 104 is charged to the operating value of the relay amplifier.The amplifier 105 opens contacts 106, however relay 160 is alreadylocked up over contacts 163 and 211. The potential on lead 203 is nowextended over contacts 107 to energize the one dollar bad implse relay180. With relays 160, 180. and 190 operated, a circuit for dispensingcoins in accordance with a one dollar note is prepared through contacts181, 221, 161, 171, and 191. Thereafter rotor contact 201 disconnectsfrom the lights at lead 202 and from conductor 203 and connects to lead204 to complete the just described circuit and initiate coin disposal,which continues as described. Then rotor contact 201 extends power tolead 205 to operate the reset relay 210.

The reset relay 210 opens contacts 211 to release relays 160, 180, and190, which restore their respective locking contacts 163, 184, and 194.The relay 210 of course may be used to remove operating potential fromrelay amplifiers 105 and 155 and place condensers 104 and 153 in theproper condition. The timer motor 200 completes its cycle in 21described manner whereafter the test may be repeated for another note asdescribed.

In the event of a test of a five dollar note, the potential provided atarms of respective potentiometers 117, 127. 137, and 147 does notoperate relay amplifier 155, but the potential at arms of potentiometers118, 128, 138. and 148 operates relay amplifier 105 responsive to thevalidity test. Relay amplifier 105 now closes contacts 107 while openingcontacts 106. Contacts 156 on relay amplifier 155 now remain closed.

Thereafter rotor 201 engages lead 203 and energizes the one dollar badimpulse relay 180 over contacts 182 and 107. It also energizes thestripper relay over contacts 156 and 192. The stripper relay 170functions in a manner similar to stripper relay 160. That is it maycontrol the identical stripper motor and stripper solenoid to strip thenote into the collect box. At contacts 171, it opens a point in thecircuit to the one dollar coin dispensing circuit to prevent operationof the corresponding apparatus and at contacts 173 locks operatedthrough contacts 211. it will be noted that on the test of a one dollarnote stripper relay 160 was operated and it opened contacts 162 toprevent coin payout or dispensing for a five dollar note over a circuitto be described.

After this, the tray clear test is performed, as before, in response tothe removal of the note. As a consequenoc, relay amplifier 155 nowoperates for reasons already explained and it closes contacts 157. Rotorcontact 201 now extends power over lead 203 and contacts 157 to energizethe five dollar bad impulse relay 190. A circuit is now prepared forcoin payout commensurate with a five dollar note. This circuit iscompleted over contacts 193, 172, 162, 222. and 183 after rotor contact201 leaves conductor 202 to tie-energize the lamps and contactsconductor 204.

The operation then proceeds as described as the rotor contact 201energizes relay 210 which opens the locking circuits for relays 170,180, and 190 at contacts 211. The timer motor 200 then de-energizcsrelay 210 and completes its cycle.

It will be noted that in the event of an invalid one dollar or fivedollar note that light transmission to any one of the cells 110, 120,125, 130, 135, 140, 145, and 150 from the invalid note will notcorrespond to that necessary to maintain the corresponding potentiometerarms 117 and 118 at the necessary respective potentials. With apotential representing an invalid note present at any one of thepotentiometers 118, 128, 138, or 148 and a potential representing aninvalid note at any one of the potentiometers 117, 127, 137, or 147 bothrelay amplifiers 105 and 155 are operated. It will be noted that in thearrangement shown in FIG. 2 for testing vari ous denomination notes thatif desired each of the potentiometers such as 168, 178, 188 and 198could instead be provided with a number of arms each extending throughrespective rectificrs such as 169 and 179 to a desired relay amplifierand if the potential existing at one of the arms when a note of aparticular denomination was undergoing test did not correspond to apredetermined standard for that note, the note would be rejected. Thusthe number of denominations that may be tested can be economicallyexpanded without necessitating a separate potentiometer for eachdenomination.

The relay amplifiers therefore open respective contacts 106 and 156 toprevent operation of the respective stripper relays 160 and 170. Atcontacts 107 and 157, described circuits are completed to the one dollarand five dollar bad impulse relays 180 and 190 respectively as soon asrotor contact 201 engages lead 203. As neither stripper relay isoperated, contacts 161 and 172 remain open to prevent completion of acircuit for either one dollar or five dollar coin dispensing or payout.

Also with relays 180 and 190 operated and relays 160 and 170 unoperated,a circuit is completed for relay 220 over contacts 195, 174, 164, and185 to energize reject relay 220. Relay 220 in addition to providing anynecessary alarms (not shown) or other auxiliary functions opens contacts221 and 222 to additionally safeguard against circuits being completedfor coin payout.

Rotor contact 201, encountering lead 20%, therefore completes nocircuit, but on engaging lead 205, energizes reset relay 210 asdescribed. Relay 210 in turn releases relays 130 and 190 which open thecircuit to relay 220.

While the invention has been described with reference to the testing ofpaper currency, it will be understood that the concepts of thisinvention will have application to the testing of other sheet materialadvanced to a position for test whereupon the sheet material is eitheraccepted and removed or else rejected and returned or otherwise disposedof. Such other sheet material may inciude cellulosic or plastic stripshaving printing or color dcsignations thereupon or therein such astickets, checks, printed plastics, printed cards or other printed orcolored shcct stock.

In accordance with the above, there has been shown and described hereina novel, useful, and simple arrangement for testing the response of amaterial or currency note with light to determine their proper disposal,and for automatically discriminating between material or notes ofdifferent character; but, it should be understood that the particularembodiment or forms of the invention described herein are notlimitations upon other manners of practicing the invention.

1 claim:

[1. In a material testing arrangement for determining the validity ofsaid material. the improvement comprising means for transmitting lightto said material, a plurality of light responsive cells associated withrespective areas of said material, said cells arranged in parallel witheach other and connected across a common source of potential, and anindividual element connected in series with each cell productive of apredetermined voltage at the junction of each element and the respectivecell in rcsponse to a particular amount of light transmitted from arespective area of said material to the respective cell] [2. 1n thearrangement claimcd in claim 1, means for detecting the voltage at eachjunction to reject said material if any one of the junction voltages issome other than said predetermined value] 3. In the arrangement claimedin claim 2 in which said detecting means is connected in common to eachjunction.

4. In the arrangement claimed in claim 1 in which one of said elementscomprises a light responsive cell.

5. In the arrangement claimed in claim 4, a potcn tiometer connectedbetween the light cell comprising said one element and the light cellconnected thereto.

6. In the arrangement claimed in claim 3 [2], individually adjustablemembers connected between each junction and said detecting means forcontrolling the voltage provided to said detecting means from eachjunction.

7. In the arrangement claimed in claim 1 in which said materialcomprises a currency note having any one of a plurality of differentdenominations, and an individual potentiometer for each denominationconnected between each element and its respective ceil whereby a voltagecharacteristic of each denomination is provided at each potentiometerresponsive to the presence of a note of the respective denomination inassociation with said cells.

[8. A currency testing arrangement for determining the validity of acurrency note comprising a plurality of light responsive cells whoseimpedance varies in accordance with the light transmitted thereto andassociated with respective areas of said note for receiving respectiveamounts of light transmission therefrom, said cells connected inparallel across a common source of potential, and a plurality ofelectrical impedance elements each individually corresponding to adilt'erent cell and each con nected in series with its individual cellacross said source. said impedance elements each individually adjustableto produce a predetermined potential at the junction thereof to eachcell and in response to predetermined quantity of light transmissionfrom said note] 9. The arrangement claimed in claim 8 in which one ofsaid impedance elements comprises another light responsive cellassociated with a respective area of said note.

10. The arrangement claimed in claim 9 in which an additional adjustableimpedance element is connected between said other cell and therespective series cell, said additional adjustable element arranged toprovide said predetermined potential at one point thereon.

[11. A currency testing arrangement for determining the validity of acurrency note comprising a plurality of light responsive cellsassociated with respective areas of said note and arranged to respond tolight transmitted from respective areas of said note, said cellsarranged in parallel and connected across a common source of potential,and an individual electrical impedance element for each cell connectedin series with its respective cell across said source and productive ofone potential at the junction of each cell and its respective element inresponse to light transmission from said note to said cellscorresponding to a valid note and another potential at one junction inresponse to light transmission from said note to said cellscorresponding to an invalid note] 12. A currency testing arrangement fordetermining the validity of a currency note comprising a plurality oflight responsive cells whose impedance varies in accordance with varyingamounts of light transmitted thereto and associated with respectiveareas of said note for receiving respective amounts of lighttransmission therefrom, certain of said cells arranged in parallel,other respective ones of said cells connected in series with respectiveones of certain cells, and a source of potential connected across all ofsaid cells.

13. The arrangement claimed in claim 12 in which an adjustable impedanceelement is connected between each certain and respective other cell toproduce one potential at the junction thereof in response to lighttransmission from said note to said cells corresponding to a valid noteand another potential at the junction in response to light transmissionfrom said note to said cells corresponding to an invalid note.

14. The arrangement claimed in claim 12 in which a plurality ofadjustable impedance elements each corresponding to a note of differentdenomination are connected between a respective certain and other cellfor deriving a potential at the junction of said respective certain andsaid other cell individually characteristic of each denomination onassociation with said cells.

15. A currency test arrangement for automatically determining thevalidity of currency notes of dilTerent denominations comprising meansfor transmitting light from each note to a plurality of light responsivecells associated with respective areas of each note, certain of saidcells connected in parallel with each other and in series withrespective other one of said cells across a single source of potential.and means individual to each denomination connected between each certaincell and its other cell for deriving a potential characteristic of eachnote of its individual denomination if valid and for deriving anotherpotential characteristic of a note of another denomination.

16. The arrangement claimed in claim 15, in which an evaluating circuitfor each denomination connected to the respective means forautomatically permitting coin payout commensurate with a denomination ofeach note only if said characteristic potentials are derived.

l7. ttf' rcriul rcxllug llf f tll'lllllS z'uchullug in couihlurn lion (1.s'ourcc of ,mitt'ur'iul, (1 fir t and o scrouu' l/upcrluucc cuchr't'iuiprli'llre a phorocourlm'lire rhvlrc, (I [hi/(l um! a fourthimprihurcc, menus coiuu'c'tlug the first ruul' lhlrrl impcilmtctx in.rcrlcr to form a first circuit, means (m ncctiug thc ,Stt'clltzl andfourth i/upcduuccs [/2 series to form (r .rct'ourl circuit, mccuzsconnccung the source to cuch of thc two circuits. u passive OR circuithaving two inputs urul u'ovltllug an output. puislvc uzcuus (.OtlfllltiqIhc junction of lhc first circuit iulpctluuccs to a first OR circuitinput, [.ltt'ASll'C menus coupling the junction of the sci-our! circuitimpedance; to the second OR circuit lupur, uu oclivcPUlt(i(llll[)llf)'lltg tl(tlL( having an input, and IlttflllA connectingthe OR circuit output to the input of the active rlevlcc.

Apparatus as in claim 17 in which the OR circuit comprises two rccificrs cuch huvlug (in (mode tcrminul and a cathode terminal and mczuisconnecting one Icrmlnal of one rectifier to the corresponding terminalof the other rectifier.

l9. Apparatus as in claim 17 in which the third impedance comprises aphotocomlucrive device.

20. Apparatus as in claim I7 which furthcr iur'lurlcs means for varyingone of the impedauccs of each of the circuits.

2]. Apparatus as in claim 17 which further iuclurlcs means for inverselyvarying the first and third impcdauccs such (hut their sum is constant.

22. Apparatus as in claim 17 in which ouc of the passive coupling meanscomprises a voltage divider.

23. Apparatus as in claim 17 in which the active device comprises arelay.

24. Apparatus as in claim 17 in which the active (luvicc comprises atrigger circuit.

25. Apparatus as in claim 17 which furlhcr iuclurlcs' means for varyingthe sensitivity of the active device.

26. Apparatus as in claim 17 in which the source providcs an alternatingcurrent potential.

27. Apparatus as in claim l7 which further includes a capacitor andmeans connecting the capacitor to the OR circuit output.

28. Material tcslirig apparatus including in combination a source ofpotential, (I first and a second and a third impel/mice each comprisinga phorocomlucrivc dcvicc, a fourth and a fifth aml a sixth impedance,menus connecting the first and fourth impedunccs in series 70 form afirst circuit, means connecting the sccoml and fifth lmpeclunccs inseries to form a second circuit, means ct'muccring the third and sixthimpeduuccs l/i series to form a thin] circuit, means couuecliug thesource to each of the three circuils, a passive OR circuit having rhrccinputs and providing an oulpul, passive means coupling the junction ofthe first circuit impecluucvx to u first OR circuit input, passive menuscoupling the juncruut of the second circuit imperluuccs to u sccOurl ORcircuit input, passive means coupling the junction of the third circuitimpcu'unccs to the third OR circuit input, on active powwamplffyfugdevice having an input, and mcuus connecting the OR circuit output tothc input of the active device.

29. Apparatus us in claim 25 which further iuclurlcs means for varyingone of the impcrlunccs of each of thc circuits um! in which the ORcircuit comprises fhrcc rcctificm cur-h having an (mode tcrmlriul and acathode terminal and means connecting one terminal of our rcr tiller IoIhe corresponding terminal of cach of the other rccllficrs.

30. Apparatus as in claim 28 which further lmrlurlcx mcaus forllivcrscly varying the first and fourth lmpctl- (times such that theirsum is constant uml in which the fourth impedance comprises aphouu'onduclive device.

3]. Apparatus (t'S in claim 28 which further includes means for varyingthe sensitivity of the ur'livc zlcricc our! in which the activerlrvlt'c' comprises a trigger circuit uml a relay.

32. Apparatus as in claim 28 which further iuclurlcs u capacitor andmeans connecting the capacitor to the OR circuit output and in which thesource provides on 0/10!- nculug current potential.

References Cited by the Examiner The following references, cited by theExaminer, are of record in the patented file of this patent or theoriginal patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,834,905 12/1931 Sheldon. 1,922,188 8/1933Zworykin. 2,244,826 6/ 1941 Cox.

2,393,631 1/1946 Harrison et at. 2,470,877 5/1949 Stuland.

(Other references on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Carpenter.

Cox.

Thornsen 250-210 X Williams.

Rockafellow 8814 Ett.

Simjian.

14 2,951,164 8/1960 Timms. 3,142,383 7/1964 Boyer 209111.7 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 879,323 6/1953 Germany.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Examiner.

